EMERY WAS RIGHT

Speaking of Canada, Marc Emery had all charges dropped that were incurred during his Summer of Legalization Smoke-Out Tour last year when he toured the country lighting up in front of various police stations.

"The letters from the prosecutor are funny." chuckled Emery. "They say that 'even though we have adequate evidence, in view of Hitzig we have decided not to pursue charges. But be forewarned that if you return you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.' They won't even admit that there were no marijuana laws for 26 months and they had no right to charge me in the first place.

This is good news for anyone in Canada charged with cannabis infractions in the same time frame.

The fact that charges were dropped across the country shows that the Hitzig decision applies countrywide. Anyone facing charges for possession incurred during the amnesty should apply to have their charges dropped.

I wish the prohibitionists would think about this. Marijuana possession was legal for 26 months and nothing bad happened. People smoked it more openly but there no rise in crime from cannabis-crazed consumers.

Meanwhile, in response to the ruling, Marc is changing his travel plans and will be stumping for the New Democratic Party in the upcoming federal elections. Marc's Marijuana Party recently merged with the NDP and I expect they will have a strong effect in shaping the debate in this race.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Marc is also promoting a campaign to convince embattled cattle farmers to grow cannabis as an alternate to losing the family ranch and is also sponsoring an event that is likely to be the place to be this summer.

If you plan your travel far in advance mark June 5, 2004 on your calendar and get to Toronto for Fill the Hill. They're billing it as Canada's largest-ever pro-legalization demonstration and I'll bet there will be some smoking going on during this march on Parliament Hill. Besides, I hear Toronto is lovely at that time of year.